Trachoma starts as an itch. It makes your eyes sting and water, almost impossible not to scratch. Of course, those affected unknowingly touch their eyes, then accidentally pass this highly infectious disease on to their family, friends and community.
And what makes this disease particularly cruel, is that it thrives in poor and remote communities where there’s a lack of access to clean water, sanitation and health care – communities like Asegedech’s in the Gamo Gofa Zone of southern Ethiopia.
Thirteen-year-old Asegedech has suffered from trachoma for over two years. While other children her age went to school each day, Asegedech was forced to stay at home. She suffered excruciating pain.
But help came when Tsehay, an Orbis-trained community eye care worker, came to Asegedech’s village.
